From News Editor
The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe on Monday lamented the poor state of the environment in most of the markets in the Ekiti State capital, and the poor maintenance culture on the part of some market users.
He particularly bemoaned the near total absence of amenities, especially toilets and water sources in those markets, while also condemning the way and manner some residents do abuse, and mess up such amenities where few are available.
The First Class traditional, ruler spoke when he received in audience, Ekiti chapter executives of the newly formed National Union of Market Traders Employers of Nigeria (NUMTEN), in his palace.
According to him, there are currently over 25 markets in Ado-Ekiti alone, with none, having appreciable state of sanitation arrangements.
Represented by the Sasere of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Segun Famuagun, a Lawyer, the foremost ruler, who commended the Federal Government for approving the establishment of the union, said everything humanly possible should be done to change the tide.
He urged the union to impress it on all levels of government, especially at local level, on the need to put every necessary sanitation indices in the markets and do regular follow-ups through regular maintenance, so as to guarantee clean environment and safeguard health of the people.
The Oba promised his support, and that of his Chiefs for the successful operations of the union, advising it to carry out it’s activities, in line with the rule of law, and respect for human dignity.
Earlier in his introductory address, Mr Morakinyo Akintoye, the Ekiti State Chairman of the union, had informed the ruler that NUMTEM was newly approved by the Federal Government, under the national presidency of renown labour advocate, Comrade James Chuckuma Ogu, to function under the Nigeria Labour Congress.(NLC), with principal mandate of bringing orderliness to the nation’s markets.
” The National Union of Market Traders Employers of Nigeria is a union, Registered under the Trade Union Act, (CAP T 14), and Affiliated to the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC)
” The Union is non-political non tribal, non religion, non cultural, and bon-governmental, it has only come to wipe out all tears, flowing unjustly in the faces of all market traders in Nigeria.
“Our Aims is to defend the Integrity and independence of the narket traders in Nigeria, by promoting and advancing their welfares in all the markets in the country.
” Also the establishment, is for maintenance and full operation of a system that will prompt quick attention to our nember’s needs”, he said
Continuing, he said, ” We are also to promote and support market and business reform, regularisation and price control in all the market, at avoidable and control price,
create and maintain endowment fund, such as grants and loans for all the market traders, so as to boost their incomes.
” We are also to maintain highest standard of professional conduct, etiquette and discipline among market traders is part of our mandates
” Our mandates also include; establishment of schemes, for the promotion of the welfare, security and economic advancement for members of the union, by rendering a world class services to all members, through democratically elected leaders, in the interest of protecting members against unfair practices.
” Our members cut across not only all the markets, but also those that engage in business of buying and selling of non-perishable goods and commodities”.
He further explained that the union was established, and registered by the Federal Government of Nigeria, to spearhead all activities in the markets all over the country, and to provide the traders, a very conducive environment to trade, and also to assist the traders, on how to improve on their daily activities in the markets.
” With this, we shall improve the IGR of each states in Nigeria, including all the 774 Local Governments in the country.
” The Union shall render a great support to the States and Local Governments, to improve all the decayed structures, as well as see to the re-beautification of all our Markets in the states, by providing necessary social amenities, such as public toilets, boreholes, among others”, he said
He therefore sought the full support and cooperation of the governments, traditional rulers, as well as market men and women, in the prosecution of the union’s mandates.
